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Head-to-head comparison

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct vs. Midjourney V8.1

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

0

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

No data

latest arena retrieval

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Specifications and cost

General specifications and task-specific pricing

A model can have one price for generating new images and another for editing. Prices therefore remain tied to the corresponding arena configuration.

Specifications and pricing for HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct and Midjourney V8.1
AttributeHunyuanImage 3.0 InstructMidjourney V8.1
ProviderTencentMidjourney
ReleasedJanuary 2026April 30, 2026
AccessAPI, localWeb app
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsOpen weightsProprietary
Parameters80 billion, 13 billion activeNot published
Maximum outputNot consistently published2K
Arena configurationFalNo arena entry
Text-to-image price$90 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Editing price$90 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

Independent preference tests

Shared arena benchmarks

Artificial Analysis and Arena derive scores from blind comparisons. Raters see outputs for the same prompt and choose the image they prefer. Separate series cover text rendering, photorealism, portraits, art, commercial design, and image editing. Confidence intervals indicate how certain a measured lead is.

0 shared result series

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct and Midjourney V8.1 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

Our images complement preference data, but do not replace it. The prompt, request count, and selection rule match. Provider resolution, quality tier, randomness, and prompt processing remain visible limitations, so this is not a fully controlled laboratory test.

Largely standardized comparison protocol. Both models receive the same archived prompt, exactly one request, and the first result counts. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier, and prompt processing can still differ. These images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, Character and detail
HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct
Midjourney V8.1, Character and detail
Midjourney V8.1
Prompt and settings

Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting under a transparent umbrella at a rainy tram stop in Hamburg at blue hour. She wears a mustard raincoat, navy trousers, red sneakers, a silver helmet, and carries a teal messenger bag. Keep both hands visible, render the bicycle correctly, use realistic wet-street reflections, and include no readable brand names.

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=480451513, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.094372, model ID fal-ai/hunyuan-image/v3/instruct/text-to-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:51 PM. Source
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, image SHA 256: 7c813735994e5781c420b23e15898e1d4c8b9a83b24dae9c72e9d7b08fe7ceb4

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, request SHA 256: 7db014c7ede1aa8032b454dd7d23feb8f0b110808d7a8995275bd91a1e6f926c

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: cf522740817fefe58b263fa9a0d07d249c42211eca7d7c9b013f7145a7d2a8ea

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, Infographic
HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct
Midjourney V8.1, Infographic
Midjourney V8.1
Prompt and settings

Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1316714523, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.094372, model ID fal-ai/hunyuan-image/v3/instruct/text-to-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:52 PM. Source
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, image SHA 256: a9c50516fcbe8008d3d67c0651882f7c712aff66ee244b7f8aa7b83c0a67aaab

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, request SHA 256: 7b664cdf0c6f4165d17100e80067cb9d1c950d20b262cf78d2e5c0703da84c5c

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: ac36188f88f37f23c2c405355d8dd12594085e1450d732fa419d8cec9a6c598f

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, Product photography
HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct
Midjourney V8.1, Product photography
Midjourney V8.1
Prompt and settings

Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing upright on dark green marble. The watch has a cream dial, thin black hands set to 10:10, twelve distinct hour markers, a realistic crown, and a dark brown leather strap. Soft window light from the left, controlled reflections, shallow depth of field, no text, no logo, no extra objects.

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1892985637, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.094372, model ID fal-ai/hunyuan-image/v3/instruct/text-to-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:51 PM. Source
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, image SHA 256: 89ed8da585fcce3df9f76584dfc426a5142fe3b950c79a306a7ce3b79746ed99

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, request SHA 256: 23b9a3151ee407a3387ae153fd37ebf415ce89861e8ad212ca150c4f1fcd386e

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: 992f2486be40bc361a638b4b266909d334883c05fe4763cf5e243358c688bfdd

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, Typography and layout
HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct
Midjourney V8.1, Typography and layout
Midjourney V8.1
Prompt and settings

Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show the exact German headline MONDFALTER and the exact subline BERLIN NACH LISSABON. Use a restrained midnight-blue and warm-cream palette, one stylized moth, strong Swiss-grid typography, generous negative space, and no additional words or logos.

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1326433162, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.094372, model ID fal-ai/hunyuan-image/v3/instruct/text-to-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:41 PM. Source
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, image SHA 256: 4563cdd9bb047b4df3316484fcc4fe369ba6635f0360e434f45577d013468b6c

HunyuanImage 3.0 Instruct, request SHA 256: efd3bc5cb7cf1e1511bde27609704b11aa672e608c34b4ecd16fb998f45385f3

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: af3d2c5042b108a7fe2eb49bae072d30030e6b6cf814875ef9ce7074ceafc4ce

How to read this comparison

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

A higher arena score means this specific configuration was preferred more often in blind comparisons.

Typography, character consistency, local execution, licensing, and price may matter more to your workload than overall visual appeal.

Prices cover 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels using settings documented by Artificial Analysis. Subscriptions and special rates are excluded.